A mocha coffee maker is present in every Italian home and allows you to prepare a coffee very similar to the espresso in the bar on the stove: dark and strong. There are many models, including design ones, and abroad it is called with the most imaginative names from "the poor man's espresso" to "espresso kettle".
The mocha takes advantage of the natural pressure of steam and is an easy and economical way to prepare espresso even at home. If you want to learn how to do this, read on.
Steps
Step 1. Learn to recognize the various parts of the mocha
There are three chambers, one for water called a kettle or boiler (A), one for ground coffee called a funnel filter (B) and finally one for the drink, called a jug (C).
- The boiler is intended for water. There is usually also a pressure safety valve.
- The funnel filter contains the ground to be pressed.
- The pot is the point where the coffee produced is collected.
Step 2. Clean or treat the new mocha the first time you use it by filling it with water and used grounds for a test coffee
Discard the extracted coffee. This step only allows you to clean the coffee maker and test the functionality of the valve. Repeat the process three times to make sure each component is clean.
Step 3. Make the coffee:
- Add the water to the boiler. You should fill it to half its capacity or up to 1cm from the valve.
- Add the coffee blend into the funnel filter; the level of grinding must be medium-fine. Do not press the coffee with a tamper! Make sure there are no coffee grains on the edges of the funnel and in the boiler.
- Insert the filter into the kettle and screw the jug onto the top tightening tightly.
- Put the mocha on the heat source and adjust the temperature to maximum. If you are using a gas stove, the flame should not go beyond the edge of the kettle. The valve must not be facing you. Turn off the heat when the espresso stops coming out of the fireplace and let the cream come out. If you do not turn off the stove, the coffee will be burned by the steam in the boiler (the taste will be particularly unpleasant if you have used a very roasted blend).
Step 4. Pour in the coffee and enjoy it
Make sure that the children do not touch the mocha when it is still hot. Wait at least 15 minutes for it to cool or put it under cold running water before washing it.
Step 5. Clean the mocha
Do not put it in the dishwasher, wash it by hand without soap.
Method 1 of 1: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Here are the possible problems and their solutions:
- Steam leaks between the boiler and the jug: screw the two components of the mocha tightly before putting it on the fire. Make sure the gasket is clean and that you have properly aligned the threads.
- The steam does not pass through the ground coffee: the ground coffee is too fine or too compressed.
Advice
- Filtered water greatly improves the taste of coffee.
- Every two or three weeks, boil some vinegar in the coffee maker to remove limescale deposits and stains.
- If you grind the coffee beans, make sure that the powder is slightly coarse to prevent it from falling through the holes in the filter and ending up in the drink.
- The water level inside the boiler must remain under the safety valve to avoid leaks.
Warnings
- In the United States, aluminum is believed to be "dangerous". In most countries, however, the mocha is made of aluminum, not because it is a cheap material, but because coffee, with use, covers its surface, improving the flavor of subsequent extractions.
- Buy only the stainless steel models if you want stronger and more durable coffeemakers.
